92: The Mysterious Elder

The agreement was that Shen Yifei had previously promised Su Muqing to help her deal with Luo Tianyao.

Su Muqing didn't know where Shen Yifei got his confidence, but with him by her side, she felt a subtle sense of security in her heart.

"I won't forget." Shen Yifei's lips curved into a faint smile as his right arm wrapped around Su Muqing's slender waist.

Su Muqing's delicate body trembled slightly, her face flushing with shyness. It was the first time she had been embraced so intimately by a man. Yet, the racing of her heart wasn't, inexplicably, unpleasant.

This made Su Muqing feel a touch of shame; she was supposed to utterly despise Shen Yifei. But somewhere along the line, she found she couldn't bring herself to dislike him anymore.

Like a pair of lovers, they walked hand-in-hand down the red carpet leading to the luxurious cruise ship and entered.

Tonight's banquet was hosted by Luo Tianyao, the eldest young master of the Haizheng Group. Renowned figures from Huahai City's business world, talented young elites, and even numerous politicians had been invited.

The Luo family was one of the Five Great Clans of Dongjiang Province, widely renowned. The Luo clan boasted a venerable history, tracing its roots back over a century, possessing deep foundations (a long-standing and powerful heritage), and producing numerous talented individuals.

Luo Tianyao, as the sole heir of the Luo clan, had a boundless future ahead of him. Innumerable magnates and titans of Huahai City's business world sought to cultivate a good relationship with him.

Shen Yifei presented the invitation to the reception staff at the entrance, and he and Su Muqing walked into the grand hall.

A golden splendor met their eyes, the opulent décor rivaling the most luxurious presidential suites. The space was vast, capable of accommodating over a thousand guests.

Many invited guests had already arrived, and Luo Tianyao himself stood politely at the entrance, welcoming the attendees.

As the Luo clan's heir, Luo Tianyao was highly regarded by elites from all walks of life.

"Mr. Luo, hello, hello!" A pot-bellied middle-aged man shook Luo Tianyao's hand.

"Director Li, it's my honor that you would grace our banquet with your presence," Luo Tianyao replied with a courteous smile.

"Mr. Luo, not at all. We will rely on your continued guidance in the future," the middle-aged man chuckled.

"Of course, of course."

Luo Tianyao's business acumen was indeed exceptional, proving why he was the new generation's heir to the Luo clan. He was a world apart from a dissolute young master (a privileged, idle, and often irresponsible scion) like Zhang Wenzhi.

And surprisingly, Zhang Wenzhi had also been invited to this very banquet.

As Shen Yifei and Su Muqing entered the venue, they immediately drew countless eyes.

Su Muqing, needless to say, was the foremost beauty of Huahai City's business world. At her young age, she had carved out a reputation as a formidable businesswoman (a powerful and successful female executive), managing the vast Lingya International to thriving success. Her capabilities alone commanded everyone's admiration.

But while Su Muqing's presence was one thing, who was the man beside her?

Luo Tianyao approached with a welcoming smile, utterly disregarding Shen Yifei's presence. He looked at Su Muqing and said, "Xue'er, you're finally here. I've been waiting for you for so long."

Su Muqing merely nodded with an indifferent expression, remaining silent.

It was Shen Yifei's first time seeing Luo Tianyao. The man exuded an imposing aura, his eyes sharp and incisive. He was clearly no ordinary dissolute young master (a privileged, idle, and often irresponsible scion), but more likely a ruthless individual.

"I was very much looking forward to your arrival at tonight's banquet." Luo Tianyao extended a hand, intending to shake Su Muqing's.

Shen Yifei suddenly caught Luo Tianyao's wrist, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Mr. Luo," he said casually, "my fiancée prefers not to shake hands with others. Please be mindful."

At his words, the guests mingling and toasting in the grand hall all turned their gazes towards Shen Yifei, their expressions incredulous.

Fiancée?

When did Su Muqing get a fiancé?

Rage surged within Luo Tianyao, yet he maintained his composure. Lowering his voice, he chuckled, "Mr. Shen, with such a beautiful fiancée as Xue'er, I truly congratulate you. I just wonder if you'll live long enough to enjoy such a woman!"

The blatant threat in his words made Su Muqing's heart seize. Luo Tianyao truly intended to deal with Shen Yifei.

"You needn't trouble yourself with that," Shen Yifei replied languidly, entirely unconcerned by Luo Tianyao's veiled threat. He led Su Muqing further into the hall.

A shadow of displeasure crossed Luo Tianyao's face. *He* was Su Muqing's rightful fiancé, and Shen Yifei's blatant provocation felt like a slap in the face.

Let this brat bounce around a little longer. Soon, you'll regret every word you just uttered!

Throughout the hall, numerous people whispered amongst themselves, speculating about the relationship between Shen Yifei and Su Muqing.

Occasionally, a few individuals approached to greet Su Muqing, and she responded with a polite smile.

"And this gentleman?" a middle-aged man in a coffee-colored suit inquired, glancing at Shen Yifei.

"I am Su Muqing's fiancé. My name is Shen Yifei. It's a pleasure to meet you!" Shen Yifei extended his hand and shook the middle-aged man's.

"You... you as well!" the middle-aged man replied, his expression awkward.

Su Muqing also offered a polite smile and greeting. She had already adapted to the role of Shen Yifei's fiancée – purely for the sake of appearances.

Initially, Su Muqing had worried that Shen Yifei would reveal his uncouth side (lack of sophistication or social grace) in such a high-class social setting.

However, to her surprise, Shen Yifei's demeanor and etiquette were impeccable. And occasionally, when their eyes met, Su Muqing felt an inexplicable flutter in her heart.

As an assassin, Shen Yifei was rich in experience and worldly knowledge; this level of social gathering was far from his first.

Not far off, Zhang Wenzhi cast several glances towards Shen Yifei, a shadow of gloom crossing his eyes. He couldn't quite fathom how Shen Yifei had managed to receive an invitation.

Though a thousand protests raged within him, Zhang Wenzhi had learned his lesson this time. He didn't dare approach to provoke Shen Yifei again.

Mainly, Zhang Wenzhi had come to realize that every time he encountered Shen Yifei, he was the one who ended up hurt.

He had to admit, this kid was no ordinary person; he was just too damn difficult to deal with.

To avoid further injury, Zhang Wenzhi swallowed his pride and retreated to the sidelines.

Before long, all the guests had arrived.

Shen Yifei also spotted two familiar faces: one was Su Muqing's stepmother, Qiao Lan, and the other was Li Quan, the man he'd encountered a few nights prior – the one who had crashed into Bai Qingyu's car.

Li Quan had just arrived as well. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Luo Tianyao, his eyes immediately fell upon the graceful figure of Su Muqing, and he strode towards her.

"Miss Su, you..."

Before the word 'hello' could escape his lips, Li Quan spotted Shen Yifei standing beside Su Muqing.

"You!" Li Quan shrieked, his face instantly contorted in a furious rage.

It was Shen Yifei who had knocked him unconscious two nights ago; when he woke up, Li Quan had found himself in the police station.

He hadn't expected to run into this son of a bitch at the banquet. Could this brat possibly have some significant background (a powerful connection or influential status)?

Shen Yifei cast a cold glance at Li Quan and scoffed, "Director Li, weren't you arrested and taken to the police station just two nights ago? To be swaggering about at a banquet tonight, Director Li, your capabilities are truly remarkable."

Li Quan's eyes blazed with fury, and he laughed mockingly through his anger. "I don't know why you're here, kid, but once this banquet is over, I'll make you regret it!"

This was, after all, a formal banquet, and Li Quan knew his place. He restrained his outburst, shot Shen Yifei a venomous glare, and quickly walked away.

Su Muqing was speechless. From the looks of it, had Shen Yifei stirred up trouble with this Li Quan again when she wasn't looking?

Couldn't this guy just settle down for once!

Shen Yifei's mood also soured slightly. He really did have quite a few enemies, and it seemed there would only be more in the future.

He'd deal with the banquet first.

Shen Yifei had a premonition that Luo Tianyao would definitely make a move against him tonight.

Luo Tianyao exited the grand hall and stepped onto the deck, where a mysterious grey-haired elder appeared before him.

"Elder Wu, are all the arrangements complete?" Luo Tianyao asked, his tone tinged with a respect that clearly indicated the elder's extraordinary status.

"They are," the elder replied indifferently.

Luo Tianyao chuckled, "Thank you for your trouble, Elder Wu. Later, I'll need to trouble you to 'invite' that brat to my room."